Engine



C. E. FRANK June 4, 1946.

ENGINE Filed Jan. 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flrranwrys.

Patented June 4,1946

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I as awifirsenssr a corporation of Michigan Application January 15, 1944, Stl'lll N 518,324 17 Claims. (Cl- 123-80) 1 r This inventionrelates to internal combustion engines and especially to engines of the class having rotatable valves in the cylinder head providing substantial portions of the combustion space at the time of firing. In particular the present invention principally contemplates the cooling of such engines and the provision of means for controlling the expansion of portions of the cylinder head adjacent the rotatable valve so as to maintain more closely or accurately the desired operating clearances between the valve and related bearing surfaces in the cylinder head.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved internal combustion engine which may be liquid cooled in eflicient manner and will be compact and relatively simple in construction, as well as easy to assemble.

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid cooled engine-of the rotatable valve type having means for controlling the flow of liquid coolant into the cylinder head so as to obtain more efllcient cooling of surfaces or portions of the head tending to become overheated.

Another. object of the invention .is to control the flow of liquid coolant from the cylinder jacket to the head around the rotary valve and in such manner as to eliminate or reduce hot spots in the cylinder head.

A still further object of the invention is to baille or block the flow of liquid coolant from the cylinder jacket cooling space to the cylinder head cooling chamber or spaces except at a predetermined point or a plurality of points so that the liquid at lower temperatures will first be directed to localities where h'ot spots tend to appear during operation.

Another object of the invention is to'provide an engine having a rotatable valve in the head thereof and a liquid cooling jacket associated are removable as a unit when overhauling the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cylinder head constructed f r-mounting and operation therein of a rotatable valve, preferably of frusto-conical shape, and in which the cylinder head is constructed in improved manner to pro-' vide emcient cooling of the valve and its asso- .2 elated parts as well as the exhaust conduit by means of a liquid coolant.

Other objects of this'invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating a portion of a multi-cylinder engine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially through lines 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a further embodiment.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the pur- 1 Dose of description and not of limitation; I

The present invention is especially applicable to engines of the class having rotatable valves, preferably but not necessarily rotating continuously in one direction, for controlling the in-, take and firing of the fuel charge and for exhausting the products of combustion. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, exemplifying one desirable adaptation thereof, a rotatable valve of the frusto-conical type is mounted in the cylinder head and is formed with substantially all or at least the major portion of the combustion chamber. The valve or rotor'is formed with an opening or portin the side of the valve adapted to register with intake and exhaust passages and an ignition device during operation, there being an opening or port at the inner end or bottom of the rotor communicating at all times with the cylinder. .The present invention deals especially with the cooling'of the engine and provides an improved construction for circulating a liquid vreceiving the rotary valve. 7 is also cast to provide a cylinder head jacket or skirt 28 spaced. from the valve housing 21 to example, several, embodiments of the invention derstood that the remaining cylinders and associated parts are identical to the structure herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, the present engine comprises a cylinder 23 within which a suitable piston 2| is mounted for reciprocation. The piston is connected in the usual manner through predetermined point or locality. the passageway between the coolant chamber 2! and the chamber 29 in the head. The battle plate or ring 35 is secured in fixed position to the bottom of the cylinder flange 33 by means of bolts 33 which in turn function to clamp the cylinder head and cylinder tightly together. Thus, when the bolts 36 are tightened sufficiently, the gasket 34 will a be compressed to provide a liquid and gas tight joint and at the same time the bai'fle plate or ring 35 will be secured in fixed position against l the bottom of the cylinder flange 33.

a wrist pin 22 and connecting rod 23 to the crankshaft (not shown) of the engine Sur rounding a portion of the cylinder is a cylindrical jacket 24 which is rigidly secured to the crankcase or forms substantially an integral portion of the crankcase. This jacket member 24 'has an extended portion spaced from the wall of the cylinder 20 to provide'a water coolin space or chamber 25 extending entirely around the cylinder. The cylindrical jacket 24 terminates within the height of the cylinder 20 at a point somewhat below or inward of the wrist pin 22 when the piston is at the extreme outer end of its stroke.

The lower or inner end of the cylinder 20 is formed with an annular rib 20a forming a pilot portion slidable into and having a smooth fit within the inner cylindrical wall of the lower section 24a of the jacket member 24, the rib 20a carrying sealing rings 21") to prevent leakage of the coolant between the juxtaposed surfaces of the portions 20a and 24a.

The engine is provided with a cylinder head 26 which .is cast to provide a valve housing portion 21 provided with a generally frusto-conical cavity or recess, as hereinafter described, for The cylinder head provide a liquid cooling space or chamber 29 forming a continuation of the chamber 25. The lower or inner end of the wall or skirt 28 is formed with an annular ribbed portion adapted to cooperate with a corresponding ribbed portion formed at the outer end of the jacket member 24. When the cylinder head is assembled, the lower edge thereof is drawn down tightly against the jacket member 24, there being a gasket 30 interposed between the juxtaposed surfaces of the cylinder head and jacket adapted to be compressed to provide a liquid tight joint.

The lower or inner edge of the valve housing portion 21 or the cylinder head is formed with an annular boss or thickened portion 3|, and

this portion is formed with an annular groove or recess 32. The outer end of the cylinder is formed with an outwardly extending annular flange 33 extending in juxtaposed relation to the portion 3| of the valve housing. Interposed between As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the baille plate or ring 35 is cut away at 31 to provide a communicating passage 38 between the coolant chambers 25 and 29. In the present-embodiment of the inventiona single assageway 38 is provided and, hence, substantially the sole communication between the coolant chambers 25 and 29,

permitting the flow or coolant from one to the other, is by means of the passageway 38. However, it will be understood that a plurality of such passageways from one side to the other of the baflle plate 35 may be provided in order to suit the cooling requirements of the-particular engine. Excepting at the locality of the passageway 38, or any desired plurality of passageways, it is preferred that baille plate or ring" provide such restriction at all other localities as to cause most, but not necessarily all, of the coolant to flow from the cylinder jacket into the cylinder head jacket through such passageway or passageways.

In the present embodiment the passageway 38, forming the outlet for the liquid coolant from the jacketed chamber '25 into the cooling space or chamber 29 in the cylinder head, .is arranged immediately below the exhaust conduit 38 in the cylinder head. The coolant is preferably introduced into the lower end of the chamber 25 and it finds its principal outlet into the cylinder head chamber 29, as the liquid flows upwardly, through the passageway 38 and into the cooling space 2941 surrounding the exhaust conduit 33. From this locality the liquid coolant flows into the remaining portions of the cooling chamber 23 which extends entirely around the valve housing 21. From this construction it will be seen that the exhaust conduit 39, which tends to become overheated during operation of the engine, mil

- be more effectively cooled since all of the liquid hot spots occurring.

these portions is'a gasket-ring 34 which may be of the copper-asbestos type capable of sustaining high temperatures and pressure. Positioned against the bottom face of the cylinder flange 33 is a flat annular baflle plate or ring 35. This baille ring lies between the wall of the cylinder 26 and an inwardly projecting rib 23a formed on the cylinder head jacket 28, the battle substantially bridging the space between the cylinder wall and the rib 23a so as to close 01!, except at any It will be seen that the annular flange 33 of the cylinder has an annular portion fitting into the recess 32 around the lower edge oi the valve housing 2'! and abutting against a shoulder formed at the inner side of the recess 32. From this construction it will. be seen that the outer end of the cylinder and the valve housing portion- 2i or the cylinder. head have interiitting portions as a result of which ltis possible to utilize the cylinder as a means. {or positively controlling the thermal expansion of the valve housing during operation.

The valve housing portion 2? of the cylinder head is formed'with a generaliy frusto-conical recess ill'within which is mounted a rotatable valve or rotor 4| which is also of generally frustoconical construction having tapering outwardly converging walls corresponding "generally in shape totheinnerwallsoitherecessll. Thevalve member II is formed with aside port 43 communicating with the combustion chamber 42 and adapted to register successively during rotation of the valve with a spark plug (not shown), an exhaust passage or conduit it and an intake conduit or passage (not shown) in the cylinder.

head. The direction of rotation of the valve is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 and the relative locations of the spark plug, exhaust passage and member ll is also formed with a cooling chamber ll extending entirely around the combustion chamber of the valve member. This cooling chamber is adapted to receive any suitable cooling medium such, for example, as metallic sodium, which is sealed into the chamber by means of an expandingplug "a.

In the present embodiment the valve or rotor II is driven at one-half engine or crankshaft speed. It is provided with a projecting stem 4! through the medium of which the driving mechanism for the valve is connected. The valve housing portion 21 of the cylinder head is provided with an annular recess I in its outer end through which the valve stem It extends. Within this recess is located a cup-shaped spring retainer member ll adapted to receive a compression spring '2 surrounding the valve stem It. The outer end of the spring engages asteel coupling disk II- This disk is formed centrally thereof with an annular set of teeth ll meshing with,

corresponding teeth formed on the end of the valve stem 4!. i The valve stem is tapped to receive a threaded stud or bolt 38 which. carries a nut Ila engageable with the coupling disk 53 and adapted to be tightened 'to draw down the oil the flow of liquid coolant from the cylinder that the eflort exerted by the spring to raise the valve within the valve housing is sumcient to substantially affect or equal the effort exerted during t e suction stroke of the piston to draw the valve downwardly and away fromits seat.

The coupling disk I! is provided with'externai teeth ll meshing with internal teeth Ila on a ring gear 1. This gear in turn has external teeth llb meshing with the teeth of a valve driving gear lil secured to a longitudinally extending top shaft II. The cylinder head is formed with a housing It provided with a removable closure II for housing the driving mechanism located in the cylinder head. The top shaft ll may be driven from the crankshaft of. the engine in the manner shown 'and described in my application Serial No. 515,479. filed December 24, 1943.

of the valve housing and may be constructed and serve the purposes in accordance with copending be formed-either in the valve or in the wall ll Thecylinderhead is formed with a series of lugs or. ribs 28b bored to receive bolts 0: extending irom bosses (not shown) on the Jacket member 24 which, as stated. is flxed to the crankcase. The cylinder headmay be drawn down tightly to the crankcase or jacket member II by nuts (not shown), on the bolts 0!, thus connecting the jacket I and It tightly together at the water tight joint formed by the gasket II.

It will be noted that the Joint between the walls of the jacket portions 24 and II, which joint is defined by the gasket ll. lies below the wrist pin 22. By virtue of this construction and the manner in which the cylinder and cylinder head are connected together, it is possible in overhauling the engine to remove the piston without disconnecting it from the crankshaft. The improved construction permits the cylinder and cylinder head to be removed as a uuitwithout disturbing the piston, after which the pin 22 may be withdrawn to permit removal of the piston. This is accomplished by first removing'the nuts on the upper ends of the bolts 02, after which the cylinder head and cylinder may be withdrawn bodily from the cylindrical jacket 24, thereby exposing the piston sufficiently above the outer end of the jacket member 24 to permit withdrawal of the pin 2!.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3v is substantially the same as that shown inl'igs. v1 and 2 with the exception that the passageway for the liquid coolant from theiacketed member II to the chamber I. in the cylinder head is formed in them: or flange portion "a of the cylinder head. In this embodiment the metallic 'baflle plate or ring ll corresponds substantiallyto the bane plate ll in the previous embodiment excepting that it is not cut away at 81 to provide a passageway or port opening in the plate it-' self. This baille plate bridges the space between the cylinder wall and the inwardly projecting edge of the rib or flange Ila east as an integral portion of the cylinder head. The flange portion Ila of the cylinder head, which coopcrates with the plate or ring II to balls or block jacket to the cylinder head jacket, is formed with a cut-out it which in the present instance is located beneath the exhaust conduit a. This cut-out I in the casting provides a passageway I! irom the coolant chamber 2! into the portion Ila of the coolant chamber 2! whereby the liquid coolant will have its circulatory path modifled'soas to direct most or the cooling fluid first to the cooling space Ila around-the exhaust conduit. Thence the coolant will flow into the remaining portions or the cooling space It around the valve housing TI.

In addition to the control 01' the path of flow of the liquid coolant so as to provide more uniform dissipation of heat and the elimination of hot spots in the cylinder head, another important feature 01' the invention resides in the manner in which very accurate control of the expansion of the valve housing a is achieved. In pre'ferred I practice the cylinder head (including the valve housing) is formed oi an aluminum alloy whereas I the rotary1vaive ll and the cylinder II are formed of suitable ierrous metal or alloys. With this construction the valve housing will have a greater rate of expansion or a'hig'her coefllcient application Serial No. 495,880, filed July 19, 19.43. 18 will tend to expand. rapidly or to agreater 1 4 degree than the valve,- this occurs to a more marked degree at the'lower or. inner ends of the valve and valve housing, which portions are subjected to higher temperatures'during operation. Any increase in the clearances between substantially closing oi! communication between said chambers at predetermined localities and having passage means controlling the flow of coola a cylinder, a cylinder jacket providing a cooling chamber around the cylinder, a cylinder head, a

cylinder head jacket providing a cooling chamber a in the head, and a member interposed between venting outward movement of the valve housing relative to the cylinder. Hence, a constant control over the expansion of the housing with relation to the cylinder and valve is maintained and the desired operating clearances between the lower ends of the valve and valve housing are held substantially uniform during operation,

thereby reducing materially the oil consumption. Although inthe embodiment of Fig. 3 a single passageway 88 is provided in the cylinder head flange 28a eflecting communication between the jacketed chambers, it will be understood that any desired plurality of such passageways of the proper sizes and at the proper locations may be provided and are contemplated by the present invention; in order to control the flow oi coolant from one chamber to the other and thereby control the temperatures of all portions of the cylinder head subject to excessive heating.

It will also be understood that the passageway or passageways providing communication between the coolant chambers in the cylinder head and around the cylinder may be provided in partjn the cylinder head and in part in the baille member 35 or 65. In other words, the battle plate or ring and the, cylinder head bailie flange 28:: may both be notched or cut away at any desired point or points to form the communieating passageway or port or a plurality thereof between the chambers and to restrict the flow of coolant at other localities. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 a number of passageways '8, such as three, are provided for the how of coolant from thecylinder jacket to theheadandbafliemeansprovidingcommtmication for the flow oi coolant between said chambersandalsoprovidingmeansrorpreventingtbe now of coolant between said chambers at a predetermined locality, said baflle means including an annular plate secured to the cylinder.

2. An internal combustionengine comprising combustionenginecomprising a cylinder. a cylinder jacket providing a cooling chamber around the cylinder, a cylinder head, a cylinder head jacket providing a cooling chamber the cylinder head jacket and the cylinder'and secured to thelatter and substantially closing of! communication between said chambersat predetermined localities and having passage means controlling the flow of coolant from one chamber to the other.

4. In an internal combustion. engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head having an exhaust passage, a jacketed cooling chamber in the head, a jacketed cooling chamber extending around the cylinder, and means for restricting the flow of coolant from one chamber to the other except at the locality of said exhaust passage.

5. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head, a jacketed cooling chamber in the head, a jacketed cooling chamber extending around the cylinder, and means for restricting the flow of coolant irom one chamber to the other except at a predetermined locality or 10- calities, said means including a baflle plate formed with a passageway or passageways therethrough.

6. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head, a jacketed cooling chamber in the head, a jacketed cooling chamber extending around the cylinder and means for restricting the flow of coolant from one chamber to the other except at a predetermined locality or localities, said means including a baflle carried by the cylinder head formed with a passageway or passageways therethrough.

7. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, .a cylinder head, a jacketed cooling chamber and an exhaust conduit in the head, a jacketed cooling chamber extending around the cylinder, and means for restricting the flow or most of the coolant entering the cylinder head cooling chamher from the cylinder cooling chamber to the locality of said exhaust conduit.

8. In an internal combustion en ine. a cylinder, a cylinder head, a jacketed cooling chamber and an exhaust conduit in the head, a jacketed coolingv chamber extending aroimd the cylinder, and battle means for diverting the flow of most of the coolant from the cylinder cooling chamber into the cylinder head cooling chamber to the locality of said exhaust conduit.

9. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a. cooling chamber extending around the cylinder, a cylinder head having a generally frusto-oonical valve housing and a cooling chamber extending around the housing, a generally frusto-conical valve rotatable'in said housing, an

means for directing the coolant flowing from the cylinder chamber into the cylinder head chamber a to the locality of said exhaust conduit.

10. In an internal combustion engine, a cylin der, a cooling chamber extending around the cylinder, a cylinder head having a generally frusto-conical-valve housing and a cooling chamber extending aroimd the housing, a generally frusto-conlcal valve rotatable in said housing, an

, exhaust conduit in said' head adapted to communicate with a port in said valve. and baille in the head. and a member secured to-the cylinder 1imeans ior directing the coolant flowing irom the cylinder chamber into the cylinder head chamber to the locality of said exhaust conduit, said baiiie means having a port communicating with said chambers and located beneath the exhaust conduit.

11. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, acylinder jacket forming a cooling chamber around the cylinder, a cylinder head having exhaust and intake passages and a jacket forming a cooling chamber in the head, and battle means providing communication for the flow of coolant between said chambers at the locality of the exhaust passage and also providing means for restricting the now of coolant between said chambers at the locality of said intake passage.

12. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, a cylinder jacket forming a cooling chamber around the cylinder, a cylinder head having exhaust and intake passages and a Jacket forming a cooling chamber in the head, and battle means providing communication forthe flow of coolant between said chambers at the locality of the exhaust passage and also providing means for restricting the flow oi coolant between said chambers at the locality of the intake passage, said baflle means being carried in part bythe cylinder and in part by the cylinder head jacket.

13. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, a cylinder jacket forming a cooling chamber around the cylinder, .a cylinder head having an exhaust passage and a jacket forming a cooling chamber in the head, and a bai'ile structure interposed between said chambers providing means for directing the flow of most of the coolant from one chamber to the other through passage means located in the region of said exhaust passage,

14. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, 3. cylinder jacket forming a cooling chamber around the cylinder, 9. cylinder head 40 10 having an exhaust passage and an intake passage and a jacket forming a cooling chamber in the head, and baifle means providing communication for the flow or coolant between said chambers in,

the region of said exhaust passage and also providing means for restricting the flow oi'f coolant between said chambers in the region of said intake passage, said bafliemeans including cooperating portions carried by the cylinder and cylinder head.

15. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, 9. cylinder jacket forming a liquid.

a cylinder, a cylinder jacket forming a liquid coolant chamber around the cylinder, a cylinder head having a liquid coolant chamber, and means interposed between said chambers for directing the flow of most of the coolant from one chamber to the other through passage means located in a region at one side of the cylinder and head.

17. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, a cylinder jacket forming a liquid coolant chamber around the cylinder, a. cylinder head having a liquid coolant chamber, and a baille structure interposed between said chambers and constructed to divert the coolant so that most of the coolant will flow from one chamber to the other in a directional path through passage means located at oneside o! the cylinder head.

CLARENCE E. FRANK. 

